THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060171
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Ida Kay's Portsmouth
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
A fair description of what's going on with the Children's Museum atrium appeared in Toni Whitt's story in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot.
But some of what's going on bothers me.
As anybody who reads this column regularly knows, I am partial to the notion of putting a carousel in the second-floor glass atrium that stretches out over the High Street sidewalk. When it seemed that the merry-go-round was out, I agreed that the use of the historic lighthouse prism was a good alternative.
But then Junie and Millie Lancaster came along and donated their $1 million collection of miniature trains and toys to the museum, creating a whole new view of the museum's second floor.
The carousel fits into the picture more than ever, offering an opportunity for the kids to feel some action after watching the trains and toys from afar.
Those who argue that the carousel does not suit the mission of the city's museums fail to remember the commotion a few years ago over an exhibition of carousel figures in the art gallery of the 1846 Courthouse. They do not acknowledge that carousels have either artistic or historical merit far beyond being a toy.
But my opinion and discussion of the merits of carousels are beside the point.
What is the mission of the museum?
Acting City Manager Ron Massie says he does not understand the mission, and that's understandable, considering the confusion that seems to abound. Why can't it be not only an educational program but also a family attraction and an economic development tool? So far, it seems to be functioning well on all three levels.
As usual, some have injected race into the whole thing. Vice Mayor Johnny Clemons commented that the museum is not for black kids. That's not accurate and the vice mayor needs to check out the museum more often. Every time I've ever been there during normal museum hours there have been as many blacks as whites enjoying the exhibits. In fact, I remember thinking on one occasion that it is too bad kids grow up to feel differently from the way they were acting - and interacting - at the museum.
Then Mayor Gloria Webb came up with a comment that ``we'' already have plans and that she doesn't want the public involved.
That's not exactly the way to get public support for the project.
If ``we'' have plans, what are they? Mayor Webb needs to let the rest of us in on the plans.
At this time, my guess is that a majority of citizens, including many with money to support the museums, favor the idea of putting a carousel in the atrium. Many people have told me they want the carousel, and some of them did not support Cameron Pitts, the councilman who suggested the carousel in the first place. So when council members who oppose the carousel think they're simply opposing Pitts and his vocal supporters, they're way off base.
Mayor Webb and others who seem to be against the carousel have not given the public any real reasons for being opposed to it, except to say it's not the right place.
In the past, some council members, who say they do not want to put the merry-go-round in the Children's Museum, have hinted that somebody is thinking of putting a carousel somewhere else. Who is that somebody and where are they going to put it?
The mayor owes it to the citizens to let them in on the plan ``we'' have. A lot of people, including every Portsmouth taxpayer, have supported the Children's Museum and feel that they have as much ownership as whoever ``we'' are.
All members of City Council and paid city officials also need to listen carefully to the citizens who want the carousel, including members of the Friends of the Naval Shipyard Museum who want to save the light prism for a special display at their museum or on the waterfront.
I've told those who've said to me that they want a carousel in the atrium that they should call or write to council members. Please do that this week. by CNB